Parachute attachment for aeroplanes



June 8,1926. 1,587,941

F. N. DOTY PARACHUTE ATTACHMENT FOR AEROPLANES Filed Jan. 7, 1926 5Sheets-Sheet '1 rwentoc E loz-encel floy atta n;

June 8 1926.

' F. N. DOTY PARACHUTE ATTACHMENT FOR AEROPLANES Filed Jan. 7, 1926 5Sheets-Sheet 2 M ignointoz W 61mm,

I 1,587,941 F. N. DOTY PARACHUTE ATTACHMENT FOR AEROPLANES Filed Jan.'7, 1926 .3 Shee-tS Sheet 5 PTENT OFFICE;

FLOBENGE N. DGTY, OF L05 ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

PARACEUTE ATTACHMENT FOB AEROPLANES.

Application filed January 7, 1926. Serial No. 79,766.

My invention relates to improvements in aeroplanes and has particularreference to safety devices, for effecting a gradual descent oftheaeroplane, in the event that the same should become damaged, or outofcontrol of the pilot.

In accordance with my invention, the sustaining plane of the aeroplaneis in the form of an open framework, and the usual fabric covering isomitted. The cloth or other fabric or flexible material is laid uponthis open framework, and is securely bound thereto by retaining cables.The fabric is also permanently attached to the open framework by meansof attaching cables. The retaining cables have no permanent connectionwith the plane frame, or other parts of the machine, but are heldthereto by holding cable or cables. The plane framework also embodies atrough, at its edge, for receiving the attaching cables, so there willbe no liability of these becoming tangled. When folded and retained flatupon the plane framework, the material functions as a covering for or asa portion of the plane, but when released, upon the cutting of theholding cables, the fabric material then functions as a parachute.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, andin which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughoutthe same,

Figure 1 is a front end elevation of an aeroplane embodying myinvention,

Figure 2 is a plan view of the same,

Figure 3 is a plan view of the sustaining plane,

Figure f is a bottom .plan same,

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the aeroplane, showing the parachuteopen,

Figure 6 is a transverse section taken on line 6-6 of Figure 2,

Figure 7 is a similar view taken on line 7-7 of Figure 2, and,

Figure 8 is a perspective view of one of the cutters.

In the drawings, wherein the purpose of illustration, is shown apreferred embodiment of m invention, the numeral 10 designates the lagemounted upon the chassis 11. The fuselage isequipped with a tractor 12and the usual rudders 13 and 14. Rigidly mounted upon the fuselage 10,in the usual manner, are upper and lower sustaining planes 15 and 16,which may be oonnecte view of the by struts 17. The lower plane 16 is ofthe usual construction and need not be further described. The uppersustaining plane 15 embodies a rectangular frame 18, which may be formedof metal or an other suitable material. The longitudina and transverseportions of the frame 18 are U-shaped in cross section, and provide atrough, having its top 19 open and its bottom 20 closed, as

opening within the frame 18 is covered by a suitable open material, suchas, a wire fabric 21, attached to the inner sides of the frame 18. Theopen fabric 21 serves to support the combined covering and parachutematerial, to be. described. The numeral 22 designates the combinedparachute and plane cover having attaching cables 23 permanently securedthereto at spaced points, the material of the parachute being of asuitable shape to constitute a parachute, when open, as clearly shown inFigure 5. The attaching cables 23 have their lower ends permanentlyattached to the bottom 20 of the trough like frame 18, as shown at 24.When the element 22 is arranged flat upon the frame 18, its excessmaterial is folded beneath it, as indicated at 25, Figure 6, while thefree edges of the same, and the attaching cables 23 are confined withinthe trou h like frame 18, thereby eliminating liabi ity of these cablesbecoming tangled.

When in the folded sition, the element 22 is engaged by holdlng cables26, which are passed transversely over the top of the element 22,preferably in lapping relation, as shown in Figure 3. The arrangementprovides loops 27, and 100 s 28, are formed on the inner free ends ofthe holding cables, although rings may be employed for this purpose.

The numeral 29 designates a retaining cable, which is passed through theloops 2 and 28 and also through eyes 30, attached to the frame 18,referably at its ends. The retaining cable as its ends secured together,at 31. The several loops 27 and 28, and the retaining cable are locatedupon the lower surface of the sustaining plane. The number of transverseruns of the holding cables 26, may be varied, as may be foundadvantageous and the arrangement shown is given for the purpose ofillustration.

Means are provided to cut the retaining cable 29, adfacent to the endsor loops 28 more clearly shown in Figures 6 and 7. The

I and are, of course, free to move possible.

prising blades 32, pivoted at 33, and coacting with stationary notchedblades 34,

' carried by plates 35, which are attached to the frame 18. Theretaining cable 29 passes within the notched blades 34. These blades 32are connected with cables 36 passed about pulleys 37 and adapted,to bepulled by a lever or levers 38, to which they are connected. It isdesired to have bot blades moved simultaneously, for cutting theretaining cable at two points.

The element 22 is formed of any suitable fabric or material, which maybe employed in making a parachute and covering the sustaining plane. Theterm cable as employed throughout the specification and claims, isintended to cover any flexible element or cord, which may be made offibrous material or metal.

- In operation, before the retaining cord 29 is cut the. element 22 isheld flat upon the upper surface of the open plane frame, and with thisframe, functions asa sustaining plane. When the retaining cable 29 iscut, the 100s 27 and 28 quickly release themselves rom the retainingcable upwardly away from the frame 18. \Vhen this occurs the element 22is opened, as shown in Figure 5, and then functions as a parachute,- notonly to support the aeroplane and prevent too rapid a descent of the'-same, but also serving to stabilize it, affording the pilot anopportunity to right the machine, if

It is to be understood that the form of in invention, herewith shown anddescribe is to be taken as a preferred example of the Same, and thatvarious changes in the shape,

size and arrangement of parts, may be resorted to without departing fromthe spirit of my invention orv the scope of the sub-- joined claims.

Havi thus. described my invention, what I izfaim is I 1. In anaeroplane, a' fuselage, an open frame constituting a portion of thesustaining lane, secured to the fuselage, a I combin plane cover andparachute element adapted to folded upon the frame,

retaining cable engaging the holding cable or cables, and means to cutthe retainingcable.

2. In an aeroplane, a fusel an open frame secured thereto, a com inedcover and parachute element adapted to be folded upon the frame,attaching cables permanently secured to the element and to the frame,transverse holding cable or cables passed over the folded element andhaving loops, a retaining cable passing through the loops and attachedto the frame, and means to out the retaining cable.

3. In an aeroplane, a fuselage, an open frame secured thereto, acombined cover and parachute element adapted to be folded upon theframe, attaching cables permanently secured to the element and theframe, separate transversely extending holding cables assed over thefolded element and having oops, a retaining cable passed through theloops, and means to out the retaining cable. 4. In an aeroplane, afuselage, an open frame secured thereto, a combined cover and parachuteelement adapted to be folded upon the frame, attaching cables perma- 13secured to theelement and frame and 7 adapted to be folded within thetrough, and

releasable meansfor retaining the element foldednpon'the frame.

In testimony whereof I aflix mysignatum FLORENCE N. DOTY.

